Solved Bloatware?

[MourningStar]

New term to me. What is it? How do I learn if I have it? My HP machine is same age as 1st official release of Windows 7 64bit Home Prem. Have added a lot of 3rd party apps, some light (MPC, Winamp, Rocketdock, etc.) some heavy (Photoshop, Autocad), overall runs ok.

-thnx

 

[Boozad]

Bloatware is unneeded and unnecessary software added to the OS by system manufacturers such as Dell and HP etc.

 

[andrew129260]

Trial software. The perfect installation is the best way and best experience of windows 7. Just windows and no trial junk from an antivirus or games that comes with your computer.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[DavidE]

If you're not ready for a reinstall or just want a better understanding of bloatware and what you can do without a reinstall, take a look at this tutorial by gregrocker:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html

Just looking at your msconfig/startup can be an eye opener if you haven't checked that

 

[MourningStar]

Thnx boozad/andrew for addressing 1st question. And for question 2? (The only trial s/w I can recall is Norton and I removed that immediately.)

 

[DavidE]

I don't know if you saw my last post, or we crossed paths...

Your specs don't specify much, do you have a pre-built such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, ... ?
This tutorial by Brink can help you update SF specs:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

When people here try to help you, the more info you have in System Specs can be a BIG help...

 

[MourningStar]

Thnx David. I will go thru Shawn's tutorial and report back.

 

[MourningStar]

Sys specs updated per post #6.

 

[smarteyeball]

(The only trial s/w I can recall is Norton and I removed that immediately.)

If your machine is running fine (and sounds like it is), you've removed the A/V you didn't install - then it appears you're in the clear.

Otherwise you can post a screenshot (using the Snipping tool) of your Msconfig startup and we'd be able to tell at a glance what's necessary and what is not.

 

[MourningStar]

(The only trial s/w I can recall is Norton and I removed that immediately.)

If your machine is running fine (and sounds like it is), you've removed the A/V you didn't install - then it appears you're in the clear.

Otherwise you can post a screenshot (using the Snipping tool) of your Msconfig startup and we'd be able to tell at a glance what's necessary and what is not.

thnx - I cannot figure out how to 'grow' the msconfig dialogue in order to display all the of Startup contents for the snip. How do I grow this window?

 

[DavidE]

You can't grow (enlarge) the Msconfig window

Most people that have more than 1 screen of Msconfig startup items enabled post multiple screen shots.
Capture and save a screen, scroll down to the next "group" of startup items, and capture another screen print...
Include in your post as many screen print images as needed.

Thanks for updating the specs
I still can't tell if you have a pre-built, home-built, custom-built, ...
MY GUESS is a pre-built (HP, Dell, ...) because you need more than 1 screen print to show all enabled Msconfig startup programs.

You can also use other tools that list startup items and can display more in 1 screen than Msconfig.
i.e. CCleaner lists startup entries in the Tools.

If you have more than 1 Msconfig screen of startup programs checked, imho that is too much...

Hope this helps,
David

 

[derekimo]

You can also use other tools that list startup items and can display more in 1 screen than Msconfig.
i.e. CCleaner lists startup entries in the Tools.

Which can be saved as a text file and uploaded as well.

 

[edee]

I think of bloatware in terms of software that is created with erroneous or unneeded parts of the program that does not affect the software from doing it's main function. Added parts of the software to make said software look more attractive to the user.

Bloatware - software that will cause your computer to run slowly and take up unneeded system resources.

 

[MourningStar]

yes, store-bought HP Pavilion. I now recall another item I was not too fond of and disabled - a sort of HP-specific dock. And once a month an HP h/w diagnostic tool fires up. I have tried to turn it off permanently with no luck. It just does not seem to honor the disabling settings for some reason. But it does permit me to alter the schedule! Anyways here is my msconfig startup. I was dealing with an unrelated problem and removed many of my custom startups, so I no longer need to 'grow' the window. :

 

[x BlueRobot]

I consider bloatware to be unnecessary programs which tend to cause problems and just take up system resources. You could think of bloatware -probably where it got the name- bloating your computer; filling with junk files and programs.

Your MSCONFIG seems okay to me, could you expand the Name field and then post another screenshot?

 

[MourningStar]

... could you expand the Name field and then post another screenshot?

yes, can you be specific and id the column title?

 

[x BlueRobot]

Expand the Startup Item section, you will able to slide it across, keep sliding it until the entire name of the Intel entries show.

 

[MourningStar]

as requested :

 

[x BlueRobot]

Thanks, and I would leave it as it is for now, but those Intel programs can be unchecked if desired.

intel(r) common user interface programs, running at startup. - Microsoft Community

 

[MourningStar]

so, looks like my machine did indeed come with s/w being referenced here as bloatware. The only s/w I physically removed from the factory-supplied programs was Norton because of all the scary & negative commentary. The rest I simply disabled (except for that pesky h/w diagnostic tool that runs once a month. Maybe I'll tackle that one next).

So, is it still 'bloatware' even if it is no longer running or being used? Now I have 'some' idea what it is. Next : where it is.